User Guide

CHAPTER 3
100
Building a Composition
For best results, set a proxy so that it has the same aspect ratio as the actual footage item.
For example, if the actual footage item is a 640 x 480-pixel movie, create and use a
160 x 120-pixel proxy. When a proxy item is imported, After Effects scales the item to the
same size and duration as the actual footage. If you create a proxy with an aspect ratio that
is different from that of the actual footage item, scaling will take longer.
To locate and use a proxy:
1 In the Project window, select a footage item.
2 Choose File > Set Proxy > File.
3 In the Set Proxy File dialog box, locate and select the file you want to use as the proxy,
and click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac OS).
To toggle between using the original footage and its proxy:
In the Project window, click the proxy indicator to the left of the footage name.
To stop using a proxy:
1 In the Project window, select the original footage item.
2 Choose File > Set Proxy > None.
Identifying proxy items in the Project window
In the Project window, After Effects marks the footage name to indicate whether the actual
footage item or its proxy is currently in use:
• A box containing a black square indicates that a proxy item is currently in use
throughout the project; the name of the proxy appears in boldface in the project list.
• An empty box indicates that the actual footage item is in use throughout the project.
UG.book Page 100 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM